Love expert Sarah Schmidt knows a thing or two about planting the seeds for beautiful things to blossom and grow. In fact there are thousands of couples across the region and interstate who have benefitted from the fruits of her labours for love over the past two decades. The bubbly owner of dating agency Country Dating has recently moved her headquarters to the quieter climes of Jindera after 14 years at its well-known location in Dean Street, Albury. Sarah is a local resident of the district and has set up an office in the town’s main street offering a “one-stop shop for love”. She is currently setting up an inviting space for those seeking a helping hand to find meaningful romance and relationships; she’s also a marriage and funeral celebrant. Sarah believes in helping people find love the old-fashioned way – through establishing connections through shared interests, mutual lifestyle goals and core values, as well as face-to-face introductions. She admits that while there “is a place” for internet dating sites, it’s not for everyone and the “disposable” nature of the industry can be very daunting, frustrating and unfulfilling for many in search of true love. Happily married to Brad for the past 14 years – they met when Sarah was 19 – with two children Connor, 13, and Amy, 7, it was fitting her first business was called Serendipity and later morphing into Country Dating. But, as these things tend to go in country communities, Sarah is also nurturing a delightful sidebar at her new location. She is helping to foster important community connections through the addition of a Grow Free cart out the front of her premises in Urana Street. The cart allows people to drop off their excess produce and take something yummy away to use and enjoy – and by all reports there has been an abundance of food shared. In the past week the cart has been overflowing with rhubarb, blue popping corn seeds, beautiful farm fresh eggs, herbs, lemons, strawberries and much more. Part of the wider Grow Free movement, the motto is to give what you can and take what you need, according to Sarah. “Giving back to the community is well worth the wonderful feeling it gives you,” she said. Grow Free advocates that by using food as a medium, people are connecting with their community and the planet we live on. “There’s only ever us, we’re all in this together; let’s create an abundant world of good food and good health,” the website states. All served with lashings of love, of course.

Country Dating moves agency to new location at Jindera

EAT, PRAY, LOVE: Country Dating owner Sarah Schmidt had moved her office to Jindera and (pictured with Carmel Excell -Cole) also has a Grow Free cart out the front for people to share and swap fresh produce.

Love expert Sarah Schmidt knows a thing or two about planting the seeds for beautiful things to blossom and grow.

In fact there are thousands of couples across the region and interstate who have benefitted from the fruits of her labours for love over the past two decades.

The bubbly owner of dating agency Country Dating has recently moved her headquarters to the quieter climes of Jindera after 14 years at its well-known location in Dean Street, Albury.

Sarah is a local resident of the district and has set up an office in the town’s main street offering a “one-stop shop for love”.

She is currently setting up an inviting space for those seeking a helping hand to find meaningful romance and relationships; she’s also a marriage and funeral celebrant.

Sarah believes in helping people find love the old-fashioned way – through establishing connections through shared interests, mutual lifestyle goals and core values, as well as face-to-face introductions.

She admits that while there “is a place” for internet dating sites, it’s not for everyone and the “disposable” nature of the industry can be very daunting, frustrating and unfulfilling for many in search of true love.

Happily married to Brad for the past 14 years – they met when Sarah was 19 – with two children Connor, 13, and Amy, 7, it was fitting her first business was called Serendipity and later morphing into Country Dating.

But, as these things tend to go in country communities, Sarah is also nurturing a delightful sidebar at her new location.

She is helping to foster important community connections through the addition of a Grow Free cart out the front of her premises in Urana Street.

The cart allows people to drop off their excess produce and take something yummy away to use and enjoy – and by all reports there has been an abundance of food shared.

In the past week the cart has been overflowing with rhubarb, blue popping corn seeds, beautiful farm fresh eggs, herbs, lemons, strawberries and much more.

Part of the wider Grow Free movement, the motto is to give what you can and take what you need, according to Sarah.

“Giving back to the community is well worth the wonderful feeling it gives you,” she said.

Grow Free advocates that by using food as a medium, people are connecting with their community and the planet we live on.

“There’s only ever us, we’re all in this together; let’s create an abundant world of good food and good health,” the website states.